PUBLIC HEARING ON LOBSTER NOV. 12 IN BELMAR

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protectionís Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (commission) will host a public meeting on proposed changes to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, in Belmar, Monmouth County. The proposed changes address population declines by providing offshore management options such as closed seasons, quotas and a maximum size limit.

The meeting will be held at the Municipal Court Room, 601 Main Street in Belmar. Additional public hearings were scheduled for Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York.

For a copy of the proposed changes, visit the commission's website at www.asmfc.org or call (202) 289-6400. Comments will be accepted until November 26, 2003 and should be addressed to American Lobster Fishery Management Plan Coordinator Carrie Selberg at 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005. She may also be reached by fax at (202) 289-6051 or by e-mail at cselberg@asmfc.org.